01:00Ecuador: Protesters capture and hold group of police officers
Tensions were high inside the Cultural Center of Quito on Thursday, when a group of police officers was captured and held by protesters inside the compound.
Footage shows how the group of policemen were on stage in the open area of the venue, while they were berated by the leaders of the demonstration.
"We are not going to act with violence, we accompanied them, we even escorted them to this sector, and that is what we did, we voluntarily escorted our partners and showing that the police are not repressive, violence has to run out,” said one of the detained police officers, who was in good condition.
According to reports, there were seven male and one female officer being held there. At first, it was speculated that police officers would be subjected to vigilante justice, but the claim was denied by the leaders of the protesters who continue to occupy the Cultural Center of Quito.
Ecuador finds itself plunged into a wave of protests amid social discontent after the government decreed a series of economic adjustment measures, including the elimination of fuel subsidies, in agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to obtain million-dollar loans.
The reform programme, popularly known as 'Paquetazo' also involves reducing the salaries of public-sector employees and increasing taxes for some companies.
01:00Tensions were high inside the Cultural Center of Quito on Thursday, when a group of police officers was captured and held by protesters inside the compound.
Footage shows how the group of policemen were on stage in the open area of the venue, while they were berated by the leaders of the demonstration.
"We are not going to act with violence, we accompanied them, we even escorted them to this sector, and that is what we did, we voluntarily escorted our partners and showing that the police are not repressive, violence has to run out,” said one of the detained police officers, who was in good condition.
According to reports, there were seven male and one female officer being held there. At first, it was speculated that police officers would be subjected to vigilante justice, but the claim was denied by the leaders of the protesters who continue to occupy the Cultural Center of Quito.
Ecuador finds itself plunged into a wave of protests amid social discontent after the government decreed a series of economic adjustment measures, including the elimination of fuel subsidies, in agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to obtain million-dollar loans.
The reform programme, popularly known as 'Paquetazo' also involves reducing the salaries of public-sector employees and increasing taxes for some companies.